Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, which the DEA describes as a substance with “no medical use and a high potential for abuse.”
President Trump may reclassify marijuana under federal law
President Donald Trump has said a decision on marijuana reclassification will be made in the coming weeks.
The Washington Post and CNBC report that President Donald Trump is considering an executive order aimed at loosening federal marijuana regulations to make it easier to access the drug, which is already legal in many states.
The executive order directs federal agencies to classify marijuana as a less dangerous substance, according to the Post. According to CNBC, President Trump could issue the order as early as next week.
A White House official told USA TODAY that “no final decision has yet been made regarding the rescheduling of marijuana.”
Marijuana is currently classified by the federal government as a Schedule I drug, which the Drug Enforcement Administration describes as a substance with “no medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Schedule 1 drugs are considered the most dangerous. These include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.
President Trump said in August that he was “considering reclassifying” marijuana, noting that the issue has supporters and detractors.
“Some people love it, some people hate it. Some people hate the very concept of marijuana,” he said.
President Trump has taken an aggressive approach to drug enforcement during his second term, most notably with military strikes against drug-smuggling vessels off the coast of Venezuela. However, his stance on marijuana is less restrictive. During the 2024 campaign, Trump supported a ballot measure in Florida that would legalize the drug, but it ultimately failed.
“I believe it’s time to end unnecessary arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use,” President Trump said in a statement about the Florida voting plan.
Marijuana is legal in 45 states for medical or recreational purposes, and support for legalization is growing. An October Gallup poll found that 64% of Americans support legalization, up from 36% two decades ago.
According to the newspaper, President Trump spoke with House Speaker Mike Johnson on December 10 about reclassifying marijuana.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
If marijuana were reclassified, it would not be legalized at the federal level, but it would make it easier for the marijuana industry to operate and research the drug.
Former President Joe Biden began a reclassification push in 2022 through the Department of Health and Human Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The HHS review calls for marijuana to be listed as Schedule III, which the DEA describes as a “drug with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” DEA’s proposed rules to reschedule marijuana are on hold.
Contributor: Sarah Wyer
